happy breast cancer awareness month, dear readers.  no doubt you’ve been seeing BCA-related products everywhere already…like christmas, it starts earlier every year.  nonetheless, the official “BCA month” is october.  and in celebration, i like to pick a product or two to purchase that i’d love to have but otherwise might not splurge on.  after all, it’s for charity!

my cosmetic splurge of choice will be darphin’s predermine corrective wrinkle serum, available at my favorite source for all things beauty:  bluemercury.  this might be the closest i’ve ever seen to botox in a bottle…the stuff is simply amazing.  at $205, it’s a luxury i’d normally have to forego…but this month, $20 of every purchase goes to the breast cancer research foundation.  that justifies it completely.  of course, if you’re looking for a little less splurge, i’m always looking for an excuse to buy a gorgeous candle, and red flower’s wares top my list.  this month, every purchase of their gorgeously floral japanese peony candle ($34) includes a donation to the breast cancer awareness foundation.

fashion choices are tougher, as the options are practically endless.  i’ve been after these celeb-designed tees at shopbop since they were introduced.  sure, i’d normally balk at spending $88 on a t-shirt, but when 50% of the purchase price goes to charity, it’s practically my social obligation to buy one, don’t you think?  i’m especially loving sophia bush’s version, which boasts a perfectly retro, wonder woman-inspired graphic.  or, if you’re looking for a more serious splurge, coach has released a limited-edition watch for the occasion, complete with a sleek updated face and a fuschia-hued snakeskin band that has me all aflutter.  sure, it’s $398, but when you factor in the $100 donation they’re making to the breast cancer research foundation, it’s suddenly much easier to justify.

and, whether you’re a supporter or a survivor, erin condren’s sweet personalized notecards come in three ultra-girly designs perfect for impromptu notes of all varieties.  you get 20 cards, envelopes and address labels for $40, and half the proceeds go to sponsoring women participating in various BCA-related fundraisers.  these would be an amazing gift to a survivor, or just a great way to show your support for the cause.

or, if you’d rather see 100% of that money go to a BCA charity, just go the old-fashioned route and send a donation.  there are dozens of wonderful organizations out there, not to mention the millions of people participating in awareness events across the country and looking for sponsors.  a dear friend of mine walks the 3-day avon walk for breast cancer every year…i admire her more than i can say, and i show my support with my checkbook.  if you don’t know someone who’s participating, i can’t recommend my friend’s team highly enough!

whatever you choose, just choose something this month…whether it’s big or small, it’s a step.

if you, like me, have several friends getting ready to spawn this year, you’ll probably appreciate the fact that i’ve at least managed to do all of the baby shower-shopping for you.

check out the guide over at the daily obsession. (oh, and that pic above is a print by matte stephens called yaaka hula hickey dula…how perfect is that for a little boy? it’s like where the wild things are meets the jetsons)

ooh, and while you’re there - i keep forgetting to point out the fantastic contest going on there now! if you’re in the market for a truly gorgeous handbag, the daily obsession has it up for grabs, gratis! don’t forget to enter while you’re there…the contest ends sunday!

it’s not often that i just completely throw up my hands when it comes to a gift guide, but i’ve had a rough time coming up with ideas for mother’s day this year. so, in lieu of my expert advice, i thought i’d suggest a few gift guides from shops i love that were right on target.

first off, the thoughtfully comprised list at le train bleu is everything a mother’s day gift should be: thoughtful, unique, and special. i think my mom would love just about any of the gifts on their list. and, if i’m not mistaken, that 25% off code should still be working.

second, the lovely people over at organic style have a huge range of ideas, everything from flowers to cookies to a cozy bathrobe.

last, but not least, i had to throw in jonathan adler’s gift guide, for fun if nothing else. he’s themed his guide according to what TV mom yours most embodies, and i must admit i found his picks pretty dead on.

here’s hoping one of these fabulous sites has a perfect gift for your mom…and mine.

when it comes to valentine’s day gifts, i sort of think you have to go cheesy or go home. i mean, the entire “holiday” (a term i use very, very loosely) is built on pink hearts, for heaven’s sake. so, you have to either be bitter and cynical enough to just ignore the whole thing (which is totally acceptable, by the way), or you have to just say “to hell with it,” and jump on the candy heart bandwagon. since a gift guide full of cynical, ignoring-like gifts would be really, really dull, i went for the other extreme.

truly, though, i think one of the biggest problems in this world is not enough people buying themselves presents. so hey, if you don’t have a third party to buy for, don’t be all down in the dumps. happily buy one of these lovely gifts for yourself - after all, you’re saving loads of money not having to take someone out for a frighteningly overpriced dinner on the 14th.

this itsy bitsy ‘love’ necklace by lena wald ($220) says it all, without shouting it from the rafters. check out the modeling pic to see how delicate and subtle this beauty is.

for the right guy, these heart cufflinks ($15) would be an absolutely perfect gift. not a bit cheesy, these will let you indulge your inner romantic without making him wear the schmoopie on his sleeve.

i can think of at least two people i know who would happily give just about any gift their valentine wanted, if they received these gorgeous recchiuti chocolates ($24) in return. bonus: your valentine might even share.

if you go the chocolate route, why not go cliche all the way and add on flowers? but please, please forego the FTD. instead, pick up just a few gorgeous blooms (no need to go for the classic roses. try peonies, tulips or lilies) and deliver them to your sweetie in this beautiful milk vase by uncommon goods ($28).

this LOVE sculpture would be fabulous as a paperweight, bookend, or random chotschky mix-in on the shelf of your choice. comes in several colors, but i love this bright, cheerful blue best, as i think the crazy color eliminates any trace of cheese. pick it up at colette, a delish french website i’ve recently fallen for. sadly, flash only, so you’ll have to look it up the old-fashioned way (hint: head for the design section). it’ll run you about $100, give or take the euro conversion and subtracting VAT.

or, if you’re looking for something really decadent, i spied this stunning diamond ring (also available in yellow gold) by marco bicego at a local jeweler a few weeks ago, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. it’ll set you back about $1,800, but hey, can you really put a price on the kind of happiness that only comes from such pretty, sparkly things? apparently so.

and as long as we’re doing overly decadent gifts for girls, it seems only fair to offer the male equivalent of pretty, sparkly things. these watches by nooka confuse me greatly. something about time being told by dots filling up? makes my brain hurt a little bit, to be honest. but they’re nifty to look at, and i think my very geek-minded (though still incredibly cool) hubs would think this was fantastic.

well, we’re officially past every shipping deadline there is…if you haven’t ordered yet, you’re resigned to the crowds at the mall or a grungy poinsetta from your neighborhood grocery store.

unless, of course, you’re willing to get creative.

my favorite last-minute gift, and one i gave just yesterday, is a gift certificate to 20×200, a fabulous website that features limited edition art (200 of each) from semi-well-known artists for a cool $20. new pieces debut twice a week. you can purchase a “credit” gift certificate for $28.50 (you’re covering the shipping costs too), which will let your recipient go online, pick out the piece of art of their choice, and it will arrive at their door with your compliments.

another great option for avoiding the mall crunch is to check out the “shop local” section on etsy.com. you can find loads of great gift options just a starbucks meet-up away. just pick your gift, and send the artist a message asking if the item might be available for pick-up. most of the folks on etsy are so sweet they’ll probably even gift wrap it for you!

if neither of those work for you, or you’re just ready to throw your hands up, i have to admit i’m still a fan of the cheesy homemade gift, but i do so prefer when it’s thoughtful and specific to the recipient, not just the generic plate of cookies that gets passed around this time of year. have a friend that thinks your chicken enchiladas are to die for? go to the hardware store, pick up a pyrex, make her up a batch, and attach the recipe. have a serious cheese fiend in your life? head to whole foods, grab a few selections, a bottle of fig jam, and a cheese board, and you have a gift she’ll be thanking her stars for well past new year’s day.

(a big thanks to design sponge and lisa solomon for the gorgeous photo, above. if only my kitchen looked that great when i baked. and click here to check out lisa’s banana bread recipe…yum!!)

honestly, the holiday sales are supposed to be after christmas! these pre-holiday discounts are slowly killing me. but, since i have no willpower whatsoever, and i assume my readers are just as challenged as i am in that respect, i’m going to go ahead and let you all know that tobi, one of my very favorite fashion sites, is offering 25% off all full-priced merchandise on its site, through the end of the year.

but okay, for those that are still holiday shopping, let’s see if we can put this discount to good use. tobi is such a fabulous site that i think perhaps we can knock off your entire holiday list at once. watch me work…

for the hubs, i’d love to snag him a fabulous leather jacket, and no one does it better than mike & chris. right now, i’m leaning toward the super cool, but casual temple street style, which i know would become an instant favorite in his closet.

for mom, i always love red flower candles…they look gorgeous, they’re topped with those fabulous dried flower petals that make for a gorgeous display, they smell divine, and they burn forever. pick up one or two in her favorite scents (i love the blood orange and french lavender). or, if she’s more into fashion than fragrance, i think really lush cardigans are always a safe bet for mom. i love this one from eden, which is a great wardrobe staple. if she lives in a colder climate, or is just perpetually freezing (like my mom is), this cardigan coat by lily mcneal would be just perfect.

for a little sister, i think it’s tough to go wrong with a funky graphic tee. if she’s a rock star wannabe, she’ll love the new tees by andy warhol for levis - my pick is this pink moto design. but if her style’s more girly, i love this mod peacock tee by topless california, which is a great tunic length and perfect for layering.

for dad, you can up his ‘cool factor’ with this merino wool sweater by theory. or if he’s still using that ancient bottle of old spice aftershave, try giving him this gift set from sharps barber shop to bring his morning routine into the 21st century.

brothers are a tough group to buy for, but i’m thinking i’ll pick up a pair of these funky skull socks and a fabulously cool new wallet for my little bro, like maybe this black-and-green “loungemaster” by j.fold - even the name is perfect for him.

and….as long as i’m shopping for others, i think i probably deserve a little gift for myself, don’t you? so, there’s a very decent chance i’ll be sneaking some paige denim, this gorgeous swing coat from (who else) lily mcneal, and maybe one of these beautiful italian linen scarves by love quotes. hmm, maybe i’ll pick one up for mom too, while i’m at it…

if i can manage to rack up $250 in purchases (which shouldn’t be tough), my whole order gets gift-wrapped for free, in tobi’s gorgeous signature wrapping. that should leave me plenty of extra time for even more shopping! um…for others, of course.

gift-guide mania continues here at shoppingsmycardio. it seems like everyone’s doing the green/eco-chic thing this year. and even though i’m about the least environmentally-friendly person ever (i actually traded in my hybrid for an SUV), i realize that i’m probably in the minority at this point. so, for those friends who are hopelessly devoted to yoga, mass transit, and composting, here are a few gifting ideas that are sure to make them swoon.

if you love the idea of getting a gift that gives back, but those “i made a donation in your name” cards feel a little anti-climactic, pick up one of the fabulously fashionable tees from the lovely folks over at conscience tees. for $30, you can grab a darling gift for her, and $5 of the purchase price goes to the earth-friendly organization of your choice. so, she can wear this darling polar bear with pride, knowing she gave a chunk of change to the world wildlife fund to help save the world.

tote bags are definitely the item du jour for the green girls this year. blame it all on anya hindmarch, though the truth is there are loads of cuter options out there. rather than making the tote the gift, i love the idea of stocking it with a few magazines your friend loves, maybe a new yoga mat, or just a book you read this year that you think everyone should read too. as for which tote to choose, the options are a little overwhelming, but here are a few of my favorites:

* this lunch tote ($24) over at three potato four is so adorable that it makes even me, the queen of eating out, want to brown-bag it.
* this je t’aime brooklyn tote ($12) is darling and cheeky, and the long handles mean it will actually fit over her shoulder.
* the totes over at alena hennessy’s site are so gorgeous, it’s pretty much impossible for me to choose. but i think i love the milla birds and the mirabel apricot (each, $64) best.

if she’s zen at heart, but still perfectly accessorized, this meditation necklace is a gorgeous option. it’s a vintage photo, reproduced and cast in resin - and just looking at it makes me peaceful. it’ll be a conversation starter anywhere she goes.

or, if your friend is hopelessly devoted to feathering her oh-so-sustainable nest, she’s sure to love this yummy flannel throw from unison. anything flannel makes me swoon when the weather’s chilly, i’ll admit. but throw in that fabulous (not to mention guy-friendly) pattern, and the fact that the cotton’s all organic, and this is a gift that’s sure to please, whether she bikes to work or secretly dreams of owning a humvee.

i love having friends that travel…i think that travel-friendly gifts are some of the easiest and best finds out there. here’s a list of a few that are sure to make the top of anyone’s ‘best gift’ list this year.

for that person you know who’s always jetting off to some new, exotic locale, i love picking up a box of luxe travel guides. these fabulously chic, pocket-size guides put fodor’s to shame - they’ll give her the very best tips for the top restaurants, spas, shopping, and oh so much more…without boring her with all of the mundane basics she undoubtedly already knows. for a real jetsetter, i love the world grand tour box, which comes with guides for 12 major cities (london, paris, rome…), along with free online updates. it arrives in a gorgeous, black and white box, and you can pick it up for $99. or, for a more personal touch, you can customize a bespoke box of five (for $50) or twelve (for $110) guides for spots you know she’ll be visiting in 2008. she’ll thank you every time her plane touches down in a new destination.

i absolutely adore all of red flower’s products, and this travel set is a perfect way to check out some of their best. it comes with travel sizes of their famous gingergrass bamboo scrub, wild lime silk oil, yuzu mimosa algae wash (are you salivating yet?), and tons more, and they all arrive in this gorgeous roll that will be perfect for her jewelry. best of all, it’s regularly $60, but coco’s shoppe is having an amazing 40% off sitewide sale until sunday only, so use code lastchance to knock the price on this perfect gift down to a very wallet-friendly $36.

tocca is another line i just can’t get enough of - their scents are just amazing. their laundry delicates travel set is a fantastic way to pamper her, while letting her try out all of the amazing fragrances at tocca. the set comes with four bottles of their amazing delicates wash (one in each of their four signature fragrances), and includes a gorgeous lace lingerie bag to keep everything safe and sound. wrap it up at bluemercury for $48.

last but not least, the truth is that as glamorous as a travel-filled life might sound to those of us who don’t do it, living out of a suitcase gets old…fast. give her a little extra comfort with a set of accessories that lets her feel like she’s in the lap of luxury, even if her boss stuck her in a horrible best western in suburban tampa. i love this set at acacia ($40), which is made of a bamboo/microfiber blend, so it’s sure to be silky soft. the blanket actually has a pocket for her feet, so she won’t have to worry about keeing her toes warm on an overseas flight.

and, at the other end of the spectrum is this gorgeous cashmere version by white + warren ($495), which makes some seriously decadent cashmere goods. the set includes a yummy cashmere throw, eye mask, and cashmere slippers that are sure to make her feel at home anywhere in the world.

i have no idea why, but men are just impossible for me to choose gifts for. every year, i spend at least twice as much time picking out gifts for the men in my life as i do the women. i’m not sure if they’re really that tough, or if it’s just that venus/mars thing, but i get a little sick of buying the standard cologne, tie or golf paraphernalia. so this year, i’m getting out of the rut.

one thing i know for sure is that the way to a man’s heart is undoubtedly through his stomach. enter the custom chip & dip kit from route 11. for just $33, you can choose four bags of chips and two dips, and they’ll arrive at his door fresh and ready for devouring in front of the televion during all of those christmas day football games. plus, you can choose crazy, boy-friendly flavors like habanero and dill pickle, or cheesy bacon dip (my hubs is totally drooling right now if he’s reading this).

another surefire success is alcohol - i don’t think there’s a guy in the world that would turn down a six-pack. i love the idea of picking up his favorite spirit, and tying this keychain flask to the bottle…especially since the flask is only $20, leaving you plenty of room to splurge on that 21-year-old glenlivet.

the man bag is a tricky business - you want something functional, and probably semi-professional looking, but it has to be unquestionably masculine. this version by serious sporting goods designer filson is rugged but tailored, incredibly well-designed (think solid brass hardware, double layers of waterproof canvas on the bottom, and leather trim made from the same stuff they use for horse bridles), and will be a great lightweight option, since it’s primarily canvas. and, since it’s coming from a company that designs hunting and fishing gear, no worries about the “it’s too metro” argument.

i love using gift-giving holidays as an excuse to equip the men in my life with things i think they should have. some might call it selfish, but i love it when people buy me things i’d never be able to justify buying myself. this ‘bottoms up’ hoodie by loomstate is a classic example. loomstate uses the most amazingly soft organic cotton, and this is a piece that will be a weekend staple for him for years to come - but i don’t know any guy that would spend $170 on a hoodie, no matter how much time i spend giving them the ‘cost per wear’ argument. plus, really: wouldn’t you rather borrow this than that threadbare fleece pullover he’s had since 1983?

or, if he’s past the hoodie stage of life, consider a classic cashmere sweater - i can’t say enough good things about the cashmere from vince, and this v-neck style is classic enough to work for just about any guy.

watches always feel like a great gift idea, until you get to the counter at the department store, where you’re promptly overwhelmed by the options. the truth is, i’ve tried a few times, and i’ve never been right yet. but if you have a guy on your list that’s on the hip side of square, i think this teak watch by nixon is about as cool as it gets. plus, it’s available from our friends at active endeavors, who give shoppingsmycardio readers that lovely 20% discount with code ‘cardio’, making this watch come in comfortably under $200.

if you’re buying for a guy that’s more geek than chic, the new ipod nano with video is probably the most obvious choice. i have to admit - they’re pretty dang cool. i like the product RED version, but i’m guessing most true blue geeks are going to go for the plain silver model. but if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, i love these star wars USB flash drives from urban outfitters. they come packed with wallpaper, film trailers and clips from the movies - and he’ll be the coolest guy in the computer lab when he’s saving things to a storm trooper.

and if none of this fits the bill, aren’t the boys always telling us that the godfather is the greatest movie of all time? even if they’re dead wrong, this brand new annotated script is the ultimate guide to the ultimate guy movie. with stills, trivia, behind-the-scenes details plus a full script, he’ll be doing his best brando impression well after new year’s. pair it with the DVD box set, and this is one gift guaranteed to make you little miss popularity.

much as we all love to ooh and aah over the fabulously expensive and extravagant gift options out there, the sad truth is that i’m pretty well broke by the middle of december. so, for those of you who are still struggling to come up with the perfect gift with your less-than-perfect budget, here’s a list of ideas that won’t set you back more than $30. don’t say i never gave you anything good.

for your fashion forward friend, i love this gorgeous scarf by alena hennessy. made of super-soft knit jersey, it’s thin enough to layer, but still sure to keep her warm all winter and into the spring. pick it up for $28 from hennessy’s website.

if she’s more into jewels than jersey, i just can’t get enough of this darling little hedgehog necklace from the curiosity shoppe - he’s $20, and is sure to make any girl smile.

if she’s a paper freak like i am, she’ll love this gorgeous set of stationery by british designer cath kidson.
kidson is known for her over-the-top designs that manage somehow to make country into chic. the set includes 30 sheets of paper, mix-and-match envelopes, and a gorgeous gift box…all for $15.

or, if your paper freak friend likes things a little more refined, this letterpress calendar by decoy lab is one of the prettiest i’ve seen. buy it for $28 at their website, which is definitely worth checking over.

for the right-brained artist in your life, i just adore this little notebook by little otsu. it’s divided into three sections: the first is designed for to-do lists, but each has an origami pattern printed on the back, so she has incentive to check off those errands. the second section is made of blank pages waiting for her random sketches…but each page is pre-printed with a frame, so her impromptu artwork has a proper setting. and the third section has a mix of all sorts of different note-taking pages, so she’ll never get bored with the same old straight lines. nab it for $14, and shipping’s free!

if she’s a tea drinker, she’ll love this tea-for-one mug from urban outfitters - the two pieces match up to make a gorgeous peacock, and you can nab it for $24. or, if she’s more of an afternoon “coffee and snacks” person, i love this cafemug by shinzi katoh. it that comes with a little mini dish that’s perfect for packing with your afternoon ration of m&ms. there are a few different designs, but i love the birdcage best - how can you resist something with the word “gazouillement” (chirping, in french) printed on the side? grab it for $18 at three potato four.

good things come in small packages. i think just about every girl out there can use another mini purse to organize her life - i know i could. my favorites these days are vintage-style frame purses, and the best i’ve found are over at etsy. for well under that $30 mark, you can pick up some really gorgeous options from sellers like oktak, absoluut (who makes hers using vintage fabrics - so cool!), and takae. throw in an accessory, like a cute lip gloss (i love these cocktail lip glosses by not soap, radio) or a mirror, and you have a gift you know will keep on giving all year long. just remember, these are all handmade, one-of-a-kind items…so shop early, and allow a little extra time for shipping from these crafters.

and if none of these ideas work for you, shopbop has a lovely “under $100″ list up right now. sure, it’s not as good as “under $30,” but we can’t all be rock stars.

ooh, and please, feel free to comment with any other ideas…i know this time of year i’m always scrambling for fabulous gift options, so share and share alike! after all, it’s better to give than to receive. (wait…that’s so not the motto we live by here at shoppingsmycardio…)